In the beginning.....

So here I am at the end of my previous life and sort of 'in limbo' while I wait and read and research and prepare and learn about my new life that starts on Monday.

I know.  I know.

"Just start now" they'll say.....

"Diets always start on Monday and Monday never comes" they cry.....

But you know what?

This isn't a diet.  This is it.  Its nothing.  It just is what is.

No more beating myself up when I slip off the wagon and 'cheat' with things like weight watchers points, sneaky takeaways, or entire packets of biscuits consumed in one sitting.  Come on.  You know you've done that.  Or maybe you havent and you dont have a weight issue.  But I do, and I have done exactly that.

The reason there will be no more beating myself up, is that there is no longer any 'wagon' to fall off.

From here on it will be an observation of how each day goes and making each day that little bit better and happier and calmer and HEALTHIER than the last.  No more counting points.  No more 500 calories every day for 21 days while taking homeopathic drops (although I DO still hold the HCG protocol in a high place - its just too intense for me right now).

It is now Saturday night and we have spent the day getting sorted for a big festival that we are attending tomorrow.  My partner Karl and I own a business that makes kiwiana home decor and he is also a stone carver.  We live on the Sunshine Coast and there is a big kiwi festival tomorrow.  So tomorrow I will be up at 4.30am and on the road by 5am to do our 'market stall holder' thing for the day.  Its a bloody long day, and I will be surrounded by the most gorgeous kiwi food and drink stalls, and.... and.... and.....  it feels too much to start this next phase tomorrow.  Perhaps thats an excuse, but thats that.

So.........

The first thing I am going to do is a few days of 'fasting'.  I have spoken to many people about this and researched alot, and it is something I want to do for myself.  Monday and Tuesday will be fasting days - and depending on how Im feeling, possibly a few more days, with just lots of water and herbal tea if I wish.  I have fasted alot in the past, sometimes for up to a week at a time (back in the days when I used to be much more 'hippy' - and I dont mean that in the 'big hips' sense) :-)

One of the best experiences of my life was a week-long Tribal Spirit Drumming camp in Galway, Ireland.  The main focus of the camp was african drumming, with yoga and meditation sessions every morning and evening if you chose to take part, and there was a group doing a fast.  To say I felt amazing at the end of the week is the biggest understatement ever.  To say I felt hideous for the first few days is also an understatement.  But I KNOW this is something I want to do on a very deep level so bear with me during these first few days.

After this cleansing time, the basis of my first week eating will be be cutting out all wheat, bread, potatoes and rice.  I dont feel that this should be too challenging for me as I dont eat alot of it anyway but we shall see.

Another thing I 'know' is that my body needs to have a low carb/paleo style of nourishment, so this is where Im heading.

I feel compelled to make a list of goals that I want to achieve for myself this year, so here we go...

• Practice yoga 2-3 times per week
• Complete the IronMaori beginners triathlon on the Gold Coast on June 22nd 2013
• Re-commence regular chiropractic care twice weekly 
• Have one month alcohol-free (September)
• Re-commence african drumming at least twice per month and find a weekend/week long retreat
• Weight goal of being in the 70's 
• 15,000 facebook followers on our business page
• Join an indoor netball team and play at least once per week
• Explore the Noosa national park area and its great walking/running tracks
• Run 3km at least once per week

There are more.  Many more.  But thats a first draft 'brain dump'.

Right.  Im off to try to 'pretty up' this blog template.  I'd love you to say hi if you are joining me for the journey, but as a blog stalker myself for many years, I'll understand if you stay in the shadows.  All I would ask is that you come to this blog with an open mind and heart, and if you feel the need to post a comment that you think may offend someone (either myself or another reader), employ the 'think twice/dont post' rule of thumb and keep your own counsel.

Otherwise, its bloody amazing to have you along for the ride, and what a ride its gonna be.

Changes are afoot.....  I can feel em!

Much love

Jo